TA5 1UD, EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd, EPR/CB3735DT/V008: application to change (vary) the radioactive substances permit at Hinkley Point B Power Station

Overview

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. We make sure that nuclear power stations and radioactive waste disposal sites meet our high standards of environmental protection throughout the stages of design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

Operators of nuclear sites in England must have a permit for radioactive substances activities from the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR16). The environmental permits we issue to nuclear site operators contain strict conditions (rules) that they must follow at all times.

We set specific limits in the permit on what operators are allowed to release when carrying out certain activities, including:

• managing or disposing of radioactive waste
• making discharges to air and water

About Hinkley Point B

The Hinkley Point B power station is operated by EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd (EDF).

Hinkley Point B started producing electricity in 1976, using two Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGR). In 2022 the site stopped generating electricity, with both reactors shutdown and isolated.

The site is currently in the defueling phase and working towards Fuel Free Status. Reactor 4 defueled in September 2024 and the company is targeting Reactor 3 to be defueled by October 2025.

Our consultation

Now the reactors are no longer operational and following defueling, certain radioisotopes are no longer produced. To reflect the current activities, EDF has applied to remove some radionuclide limits in its environmental permit EPR/CB3735DT.

The proposed changes to the environmental permit would more accurately reflect the reducing radiological hazard and risks from Hinkley Point B and align with the current lifecycle stage.

We are seeking your comments on an application received from EDF Energy Nuclear Generation Ltd (EDF) to change (vary) its radioactive substances permit EPR/CB3735DT/V008 for

Hinkley Point B Power Station
Nr Bridgwater
Somerset
TA5 1UD

Why your views matter

We aim to build and maintain confidence in our decision-making processes through our public engagement and consultation. It is our responsibility to make decisions about environmental permit applications for radioactive waste disposal, but we consider that our decisions can be improved through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.

We can all help to protect and improve the environment by being actively involved. Our public participation statement shows how our process is open, transparent and consultative. Our approach to consultation is in line with the government’s published consultation principles. We would like people to understand our role in relation to radioactive waste disposal, what we are doing and why it’s important.

Our consultations are open to everyone and we invite the following groups to take part:

• the nuclear and radioactive waste disposal industry
• members of the public and communities (including local interest and action groups) near to the Hinkley site and other nuclear sites
• elected representatives, including MPs and councillors
• local councils in Somerset or near other nuclear sites
• academics, scientists and consultants with an interest in radioactive waste disposal, nuclear power, energy or the environment
• non-governmental organisations (NGOs), campaign groups and environmental groups
• statutory consultees
• other government agencies
• other regulators
• any other organisation or public bodies 

We will carefully consider consultation responses as part of our determination of the application.

We will only vary the permit if we believe that harm to the environment, people and wildlife will be minimised. If the applicant can demonstrate that the varied permit will meet all of the legal requirements, including those for the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT), public radiation dose and wildlife radiation dose, then we are legally obliged to grant the application.

Advice about what aspects and issues we can and cannot take account of is provided below.

We can take account of:

• relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards
• information on local population habits and practices and sensitive sites
• comments on whether the right process is being used for the activity
• the potential impact, whether the impact is acceptable and what pollution control measures or abatement may be required
• the shape and use of the land around the site in terms of its potential impact, whether that impact is acceptable and what pollution control or abatement may be required
• information that we have not been made aware of in the application.
• Any incorrect information in the application

We cannot take account of:

• issues beyond those in the relevant environmental regulations
• anything outside the scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations
• whether a site should have a formal designation under Habitats Directive or other conservation legislation
• whether the activity should be allowed or not as a matter of principle and the Justification of practices involving radiation - for example, we will not consider the justification for the UK nuclear submarine programme
• the impact of noise and odour from traffic travelling to and from the site
• comments about the Government’s nuclear site decommissioning policy
• Comments about the transport of radioactive waste
• the legally defined process we follow to determine a permit